NEW DELHI: Is Arvind Kejriwal, who suffered a humiliating defeat in the just-concluded Delhi assembly elections, planning a rejig in Punjab? Well, both the BJP and the Congress claim that the incumbent Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann is under pressure after the party’s Delhi debacle.
BJP leader and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday took digs at Bhagwant Mann after the Punjab chief minister and his 91 MLAs met AAP chief Kejriwal in the national capital. “A meeting was called to change the chief minister, but today’s media frames tell a different story. Have you ever seen Bhagwant Mann with his cabinet ministers? He used to speak alone in front of the media. For three years, no minister was ever seen with him in any media frame, but today, there was a large gathering with ministers standing proudly. This photo reveals what’s happening within the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab,” Bittu said.
BJP’s newly-elected MLA from West Delhi’s Rajouri Garden, Manjinder Singh Sirsa also took a dig at Kejriwal for holding a meeting with Punjab MLAs despite AAP’s defeat in Delhi. “He is dreaming of becoming Punjab chief minister. Just like a fish out of water, Kejriwal can not live without power luxury,” Sirsa said. “The people of Punjab are self-respecting and have mellowed the arrogance of many, so, Kejriwal should stop dreaming about becoming Punjab’s CM,” he added.
The Congress also targeted Kejriwal and claimed that the AAP government in Punjab may soon see a change. Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla wondered why Punjab MLAs were called for meeting after a loss in Delhi.
“He has lost Delhi, so he should call Delhi leaders and brainstorm, but Punjab MLAs have been called. Both his models, Punjab and Delhi, have failed. Arvind Kejriwal wants to become the chief minister or wants some changes. The people of Punjab are fed up with him, no matter how many meetings he holds, it will not make any difference,” Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla said.
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa claimed that the meeting shortly after the elections only showed that AAP would break soon. “The results were declared on February 8 and the movement has already started. Calling a meeting so soon shows that they will break soon. There will be mid-term polls in Punjab. When a party loses, there is a discussion within the state, other states are not called. They are worried that what happened in Delhi may be repeated in Punjab,” Singh said.
Kejriwal’s meeting with Punjab MLAs took place amid rumours of dissent within the state unit of the party.
Bhagwant Mann, speaking to reporters after his meeting with Kejriwal, dismissed speculation about dissent within AAP’s state unit, asserting that Congress leaders have a history of switching parties while AAP leaders remain dedicated. Mann’s remarks came after Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa claimed that over 30 AAP MLAs were in touch with his party.
“Switching sides is Congress’ culture; they talk about others but do not worry about themselves. I will ask Pratap Singh Bajwa how many MLAs they have in Delhi.” Mann said.
“Bajwa has made such claims for years, let him say it … He should not count our MLAs and instead, see how many MLAs Congress has in Delhi,” he said.
After losing Delhi, AAP has government only in Punjab. There are speculations that Kejriwal may play a bigger role in Punjab politics. AAP leaders have dismissed such reports.
AAP, which ruled Delhi for a decade, suffered a major setback in the February 5 elections, losing 40 seats and its government in the national capital. The AAP could win only 22 seats in the 70-member assembly, while the BJP with 48 seats is all set to form its government in Delhi.
Assembly elections are due in Punjab in about two years time in 2027. AAP, which had won 92 seats and decimated the Congress to come to power in the state, faces a stiff challenge in the state after losing Delhi.
(With inputs from agencies)